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From: Margaret Ransom <>
Subject: [Bklyn] Brooklyn Union Argus, June 10,1882-Court News
Date: Sun, 03 Feb 2002 19:32:34 -0500


Brooklyn Union Argus
June 10, 1882

Court News

Matters of Interest in Legal Circles To-Day

How the Indians Valued Land on Long Island—An Ancient Deed to the Town of Huntington

A suit came up for trial to-day before Justice CULLEN in the Special Term of the
Supreme Court, which involves the tile to a piece of land in the township of
Huntington L.I. Counselor Henry C. PLATT, who is engaged in the case, offered in
evidence the original articles of agreement which resulted in the purchase of the
present town of Huntington from the Sagamore tribe of Indians. The agreement is
written on parchment and bears date April 2, 1653. It was filed in New York on
November 11, 1667 and reads as follows:

Articles of Agreement betwixt RATOOKAN Sagamore of Mattincok of one partie and
Richard HOULBOOTH, Robert WILLIAMS and Daniel WHITEHEAD theyre eyres, executors or
assines a certaine quantitie of land lying and beeing upon long Island Bounded upon
the West side with a river commonly called by the Indians Nathaquatuck and on the
North side with the Sea and going Eastward to a river called opiat bontgoe on the
South side to the utmost part of sd Bounds promising and by virtue of hereof I doo
promise to free the above said lands from all and Holl of claims that shall be made
unto it by reson of any former act. In consideration of which lands the aforesaid
Rich. HOULBOOTH, Robert WILLIAMS and Daniell WHITEHEAD doth promise to pay unto the
said RATOOKAN, as followeth: 6 bottles, 6 hatchets, 6 hoes, 6 shovels, 10 knives, 6
fathoms of wampum, 30 muxes, 30 needles, further the said RATOOKAN doth promise to go
or send within twentie days to show and marke out the bounds and in case it would not
according to expectation then this writing to be voyd and of none effect, but in case
it be, then this writing to stand in full power, force and virtue. Witness our hands
the 2th of April 1653.

The deed is signed by the Messrs. HOULBOOTH, WILLIAMS and WHITEHEAD, following
which are the signatures of all the warriors of the Sagamore tribe with the
characteristic mark of each warrior attached to his name.
Mr. PLATT also offered in evidence the original deed of Eaton’s Neck from the
Sagamore Indians to the town of Huntington for the consideration of “two cootes, fore
shirtes, seven quarts of licker and a four ounce of powther,” the Indians being
permitted to reserve the right to “plante and honte within the aforesayd bounds.”
This deed is dated 1556.



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